Newton Community Center set to receive new STEM lab

SALISBURY, Md.- $30,000 is headed to the Newton Street Community Center in Salisbury for the installation of a new STEM Lab.

The money comes from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, which is a national initiative that looks to bring STEM education to underserved communities. The center was made aware of the opportunity thanks to their partnership with The Truitt Street Boys & Girls Club.

The lab will be stationed on the center’s third floor and will include products such as computers, 3D printers, programmable robots, work benches, and more.

Community Relations Manager Rachel Manning said the lab with be a great addition to the educational programs they already offer. “It’s just going to keep them wanting more and learning more. It also exposes them to new career opportunities that they might’ve never even thought about,” she said. “We hope to be able to not only provide this space to the kids that come to our after-school club but also open it to the community and have different groups come in and visit.”

Construction is now underway to complete the space and the center expects installation of the equipment by January. Manning added that the hope is to open the lab to the public by early Spring.

Currently, CRSF has 317 STEM Centers across 20 states that supports over 100,000 students.